RICHARD COSWAY

The present work was painted early on in Richard Cosway’s career as a miniaturist, before he had entered the schools at the Royal Academy. His training as a miniaturist had started at the age of 12, when he attended William Shipley’s drawing school, and was taught by Thomas Hudson. Later on, in around 1786, he would become the Miniature Painter to the Prince of Wales and gained esteem for his portraits of women and gentlemen of Britain’s society. 

Here, Cosway’s ability to add life into his work is clear. Even though the sitter of the portrait remains unidentified, he still has personality, for example his slightly raised eyebrow suggests a level of confidence and a sense of smugness. The handling of the watercolour used to paint the portrait allows it to feel light and full of movement, something that has been helped by quickly applying strokes of paint, something that is especially visible in the sitter’s cravat and stock.